@inbook {
title = {Goal Question Metric (GQM) Approach},
author = {van Solingen, Rini and Basili, Vic and Caldiera, Gianluigi and Rombach, H. Dieter},
publisher = {John Wiley & Sons, Inc.},
isbn = {9780471028956},
doi = {10.1002/0471028959.sof142},
keywords = {industrial application, phases, measurable software, quality improvement},
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Software Engineering},
year = {2002},
abstract = {As with any engineering discipline, software development requires a measurement mechanism for feedback and evaluation. Measurement supports creating a corporate memory and is an aid in answering a variety of questions associated with the enactment of any software process. Measurement also helps, during the course of a project, to assess its progress, to take corrective action based on this assessment, and to evaluate the impact of such action.According to many studies made on the application of metrics and models in industrial environments, measurement in order to be effective must be.

* Focused on specific goals

* Applied to all life-cycle products, processes, and resources

* Interpreted on the basis of characterization and understanding of the organizational context, environment, and goals

This means that measurement must be defined in a top-down fashion. It must be focused, based on goals and models. A metric-driven, bottom-up approach, will not work because there are many observable characteristics in software (e.g., time, number of defects, complexity, lines of code, severity of failures, effort, productivity, defect density). A context specific selection of metrics and guidelines on how to use and interpret them should be made, based on the appropriate models and goals of that environment.The most common and popular mechanism for goal-oriented software measurement is the Goal Question Metric approach which is presented in this article in combination with examples from GQM application in industry},
}